Posts Tagged ‘Chris Pronger’

The only Canada-USA preview you need to read!

February 27th, 2010

The hockey world is buzzing in anticipation for an epic Gold Medal showdown between Team Canada and Team USA following what can only be described as two crazy Olympic Semi-Final hockey games on Friday.

Crazy because Team USA scored six goals in less than a period to blowout Finland to get to the Gold Medal game.
Crazy because Team Canada came within inches of blowing a three goal lead in the final eight minutes against Slovakia to get to the Gold Medal game.

The results from two very different Semi-Final games only add to the layers of intrigue going into tomorrow’s Canada-USA rematch. Much has been made of Canada’s refocused play, following the 5-3 loss to Team USA last week. Canada has been significantly better, with much of the credit going to Mike Babcock’s line juggling and Canada’s aggressive forecheck. But let’s not forget about Team USA and how well they’ve played as a team in a short tournament like this.

Let’s talk about Team Canada
One thing that hasn’t been talked about very much is the preparation and tailored game plans Canada has created for Germany, Russia and Slovakia. Each game has offered a different look and feel from the Canadians. Credit should go to Kevin Lowe and Ken Hitchcock for designing solid game plans and terrific advanced scouting. To me, this is where the real story begins for the Gold Medal game. What will Canada’s game plan be and how will they react to the American’s game plan? The Americans are a physical team – by far the most physical team Canada has played in this tournament. Do the Canadians fight aggression with aggression? The pressure will be on goalie Roberto Luongo, too. I don’t think I can recall a game where I’d consider Luongo the underdog against the opposing goaltender. Luongo hasn’t been tested too much since relieving Martin Brodeur. The other big question I have for Team Canada is if their defensemen – namely Chris Pronger – can handle the strong forecheck of Team USA. This will be something to watch as the game goes on.

Let’s talk about USA
It’s no secret a big part of Team USA’s win over Canada last Sunday was a result of turning Martin Brodeur’s puck handling strength into a weakness. The Americans were rewarded with two goals in the first period because of this. Two goals they might not have expected. It will be a different story on Sunday as Roberto Luongo will likely avoid over-playing pucks. This begs the question, what will USA’s game plan be? Team USA are no longer the underdogs Brian Burke has made them out to be for months. They haven’t been since taking out Canada in the preliminary round. And looking at the way Ryan Miller has been playing for Team USA, some might suggest the Americans are the Gold Medal favourites. Friday’s Semi-Final win for Team USA was big for a few reasons. Not only did the score grab all of Team Canada’s complete and undivided attention, but Patrick Kane enjoyed his best game of the tournament. It’s perfect timing for a player who really needs to continue that kind of play if Team USA want to win Gold. Kane makes their second line run, so if he’s on his game, it’s two strong forward lines for Team USA. If he’s not playing well, Canada only needs to worry about Zach Parise’s line. Team USA are pretty well rested too. They coasted through the majority of Friday’s game after jumping out to a big lead very early in the first period. Unlike Canada who fought to the dying seconds of their game to win.

If you breakdown each position between the two teams, here’s where I see the advantages:
Goaltending: USA
Defense: Canada
Forwards: ?

The forwards of each team will decide this team. While Canada may have a stronger group of forwards, Team USA’s seem to better understand their roles. It’s going to make  for a pretty interesting chess match. While this game may not have the appeal a Canada-Russia final may have had, it definitely has more intrigue. It also has a bit more edge as Canada will either make up for their previous loss or cement USA as the undisputed Olympic Champions. There’s a lot on the line for both teams… may the best team win.

Stay classy, Olympic Hockey.

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Headshots, and how to deal with them

February 3rd, 2010

If there is one term in hockey right now that is beaten to death, it’s “headshots.”

Even yesterday, without any recent provocation (Patrice Cormier notwithstanding), Sun Media printed an article on the topic, declaring that Canadians want to see headshots eliminated from the game of hockey. The only anomaly that they didn’t mention is that both metropolises of Ottawa and Edmonton voted overwhelmingly in favour of headshots being exclusively dealt to Dany Heatley.

With no solution in sight, I thought it might be prudent to make a few suggestions on what the NHL can do to eliminate headshots from the game.

  • Have Marty McSorley negotiate all future contracts for the NHLPA. The direct economic impact of his negotiating skills would create fear about potential brain damage.
  • At all NHL training camps, incorporate the new Chris Pronger Obstacle course. At the end of the course, have Chris Pronger get sacked by successful players. He may never elbow again. Or never ask to be traded for undisclosed reasons.
  • Have all helmets fitted with chaff release based on a proximity sensor located in players’ pads. When an approaching elbow or shoulder gets too close to the helmet, chaff is released, blinding the opposing player.
  • Offending players will be forced to gently stroke Alex Ovechkin’s sticks all day until they are warm, but not too hot to handle. While this may reduce scoring, the YouTube videos will be punishment enough.
  • Initiate simple retrofits to hockey helmets, featuring Viking thorns and German WWI spikes.
  • A player caught in the act of a headshot shall change his name to ‘Downie’, wear the number ‘9′, and play every game against Matt Carkner, where he will be Carkner-fied.
  • Have the offending player traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where their truculence will be initially welcomed until they realize they’re playing for Toronto.
  • Un-retire Bobby Clarke, and have him break ankles after each headshot.

Stay classy, unsolved NHL headshots.

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Going rate for NHL offensive defencemen vs defensive defencemen

January 27th, 2010

Each summer, there are prized UFA defenceman every team wants to sign. Brian Campbell, Jay Bouwmeester, and Mattias Ohlund all made off with huge contracts in recent years as a result of this. (I nearly mentioned Wade Redden, but thought better of it. You’re welcome Rangers fans!).

Anton Volchenkov - Ottawa Senators

Shutdown defencemen like Anton Volchenkov are classy players.

The premium is certainly on offensive defencemen who can move pucks and change the pace of hockey games. Come July 1st, its a safe assumption a proven puck moving defenceman will command anywhere from $4.5 Million-$6.5 Million per season from a number of interested teams. But what about defensive minded defencemen?

There’s a growing debate about salary and term for defensive defencemen. What are they worth and how long should their contract be? With defencemen like Ottawa’s Anton Volchenkov, New Jersey’s Paul Martin, and Vancouver’s Willie Mitchell (among others) all in the final year of their respective contracts, it’ll be interesting to see the length and numbers behind their new contracts.

These players play as rugged as possible; the wear and tear can shorten careers and cause long term injuries. In addition to that, the NHL salary cap is forcing teams to get even more efficient with payrolls. Some teams don’t have room for “shutdown defencemen” like the players named above. It probably doesn’t help players like Dan Hamhuis, Nick Lidstrom, and Sergei Gonchar – far more offensive minded defencemen – are also without contracts for next season.

In order to figure out what the defensive defencemen are worth, let’s quickly look at what the league’s premium offensive defencemen currently earn (in terms of annual salary cap hit).

Nick Lidstrom – $7.45 Million
Dan Boyle – $6.667 Million
Duncan Keith – $5.538 Million (as of next season)
Mike Green – $5.25 Million
Sergei Gonchar – $5 Million
Chris Pronger – $4.921 Million
Shea Weber – $4.5 Million

That’s probably what most expected. Now let’s take a look at the annual cap hits of some of the league’s better shutdown defencemen.

Mike Komisarek – $4.5 Million
Brooks Orpik – $3.75 Million
Barret Jackman – $3.625
Chris Phillips – $3.5 Million
Willie Mitchell – $3.5 Million
Brandon Witt – $3 Million
Anton Volchenkov – $2.5 Million

Clearly, the top of the shutdown defencemen pay scale is equal to the lower end of the offensive defencemen pay scale. This is a good starting point in addressing what some UFA defensive defencemen should probably expect as salary going into free agency this summer (or signing contracts to avoid free agency). Where it gets interesting is length. Players want security and GM’s want to bring cap hits down with longer terms.

Let’s use Anton Volchenkov as an example. I don’t think many GM’s like the idea of giving him or a player like him a 6 year contract. Volchenkov is 28 years old and the 6 year deal he’s reported to be seeking (in the neighborhood of $4 Million per season – reportedly) brings him to 34 years old. Will a player who hits/blocks shots as much as he does make it to 34 years old in the NHL? In my opinion, defensive defencemen (I’m getting really sick of typing ‘defensive defencemen’) like Volchenkov and the others above should max out at 4 year contracts in length and average roughly $3 Million-$4 Million per season. It’s simply far too risky to give anything higher or longer.

What’s your take? It will be very interesting to see what some of these defensemen get for their new contracts.

Stay classy, defensive defencemen.

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Canada’s Olympic team… Finally.

December 30th, 2009

As the title says, Canada announced their men’s hockey Olympic team, finally.

Steve Yzerman and Mike Babcock are classy men.

While a country like Canada will always have more amazing players than available positions, I’m pretty happy with the final roster. Many can and will say ‘he should have taken him over him’, but I feel this is a pretty solid set of players. That can’t be improved that much.

I’m also pretty happy that the television coverage has ended – TSN can make a half hour special on anything, so I’ve come to learn this holiday season. Anyways, here’s the final roster, barring any unforeseen injuries.

Goalies
Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, Marc-Andre Fleury

Defencemen
Dan Boyle, Chris Pronger (assistant captain),
Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook
Scott Niedermayer (captain), Drew Doughty
Shea Weber

Forwards
Rick Nash, Sidney Crosby (assistant captain), Jarome Iginla,
Brenden Morrow, Mike Richards, Patrice Bergeron
Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Eric Staal
Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley
Jonathan Toews

Of course, there will be debate as to who should of made the team and didn’t. Below is a list of notable omissions

Mike Green, Mike Fisher, Shane Doan, Marc Savard, Jeff Carter, Jay Bouwmeester, Stephane Robidas, Vincent Lecavalier, Dion Phaneuf, Patrick Sharp.

Anyone else I’m missing? What are your thoughts on Team Canada? Can Canada capture gold with this squad?

Stay classy, Steve Yzerman and Team Canada.

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Ottawa Senators game day predictions (Sens/Flyers)

December 10th, 2009

On paper, the Philadelphia Flyers are a strong team. A deep set of forwards up front and great defensemen like Chris Pronger, Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Cobourn, etc… But as it turns out, they have 3 less points than the Ottawa Senators. OK, we all know the Flyers have been slumping recently, but a new coach with a new attitude might be enough to turn them around. They smoked the New York Islanders the other night, a team who’s playing better than the Senators right now.

This game has potential to be an exciting game featuring 2 desperate teams, but then again, sometimes 2 bad teams make for 1 terrible game.

Without further delay, here’s our predictions - do you agree? Let us know below.

Ottawa Senators vs Philadelphia Flyers – 7:00pm EST, TSN2, CSN-PH

Burgundy: Philadelphia- 4, Ottawa- 1; Remember the last time Ottawa played in Philadelphia? It was probably the most boring game of the year. And the Flyers killed the Senators. In order for Ottawa to turn their recent play around, they need to hit rock bottom as a team and I don’t believe that’s happened yet. I look for more terrible defensive reads, more Alex Kovalev shoulder shrugs, more commentators saying “Will this be Jason Spezza’s breakout game?”, and Ottawa’s top line doing the only hard skating.

Champ: Philadelphia- 5, Ottawa- 4 (OT); Brian Elliot finally gets pulled this game after Flyers take 4-0 lead. Mike Brodeur comes in and shuts the door, Sens score 4 goals in 72 seconds but lose in overtime when power flickers and Kuba scores on own net. Ridiculous, probably but given the luck the Sens have had lately everything is possible.

Tambland: Philadelphia- 4, Ottawa- 2; According to recent patterns of behaviour, most of us will be calling for a bounce back game from Ottawa. But according to recent patterns of behaviour, Ottawa is just going to come up short. They’re going to play a spirited game, and hell, Kovalev might even score, but it won’t be enough against a floundering Flyers squad. A squad that also happens to be trying to get out of a funk. Look for a big victory on Saturday though, when the league’s worst team limps into Ottawa!

Fantana: Philadelphia- 4, Ottawa- 3; I think Ottawa will play a good game but Philadelphia are going to be back with a vengence as new coach Peter Laviolette whips them back into shape. Look for Mike Richards to pick up where he left off against the Islanders on Tuesday night and I’m sure Chris Pronger will remind Sens fans why they hate him so much.

Mantooth: Philadelphia- 6, Ottawa- 4; Goaltending is going to take a beating in this game if each teams defense doesn’t step up to the plate! If the Sens can find a way to put the puck on net, and not directly at the goalie, expect to see some points on the board. The Flyers offense was clicking on Tuesday against the Islanders, and expect that to continue.

Baxter: Philadelphia- 4, Ottawa- 2; Emery is out, Boucher is in. Pressure is on for Philly to win at home (following a big win over the Islanders), especially after dropping a few losses under Peter Laviolette. Watch for Kovalev and Spezza to stay asleep.

Stay classy, Philadelphia Flyers.

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Underrated NHL defensemen this season

October 15th, 2009

More and more, teams are placing emphasis on quality defensemen. Whether its puck movers or stay at home/shut down players, it seems clear top NHL teams have at least one of each.

Every team guns for the big splash – Jay Bouwmeester, Zdeno Chara, Nick Lidstrom kind of guys. These guys are usually the first defenseman picked in fantasy drafts and the names we frequently discuss. I want to talk about the less heralded players today. The defenseman who’ve quietly had a great start to the 09-10 NHL season and helped their teams to solid records so far.

Kyle Quincey – Colorado Avalanche

Tyler Myers is a classy player

Tyler Myers is a classy player

One of this summer’s best trades was definitely the Colorado Avalanche trading Ryan Smyth to the Los Angeles Kings for Tom Preissing and Kyle Quincey. I think Quincey has flown under the radar, initially as another good defenseman of the Detroit Red Wings and then for the lesser known Kings. Quincey is a solid powerplay quarter back and a great first pass/puck moving defenseman. The Avalanche’s surprise start has a lot to do with goaltender Craig Anderson and Kyle Quincey.

Stephane Robidas – Dallas Stars
Many were surprised at Stephane Robodias inclusion to the summer Canadian Olympic Orientation camp with other stud defensemen like Shea Weber, Jay Bouwmeester, Dion Phaneuf, Scott Neidermayer and more. Robidas flies under the radar in Dallas but is as good as they come. He’s got a very small chance at making the Olympic team (basically, Canada’s top 10 defenseman have to be injured), but there’s no way the Dallas Stars are anywhere near the same team without him, nor would they still be undefeated (3-0-2). He’s tied for 2nd in league (among defense) plus-minus (+8) and is a great offensive player that doesn’t let defense suffer. Also strong on the powerplay, Robidas doesn’t miss many games (has played atleast 72 games in each of his last 4 seasons) and averages around 22 minutes of playing time per game.

Denis Grebeshkov – Edmonton Oilers
A very underrated player, in my opinion. The Edmonton Oilers have the big names like Sheldon Souray and Lubomir Visnovsky, but Dennis Grebeshkov is a solid top 4 defenseman with a cannon for a slap shot. 6 points to start the year, I think Pat Quinn will use Grebseshkov more and more on the top powerplay unit – especially with Souray’s concussion suffered last week with Jarome Iginla.

Tyler Myers – Buffalo Sabres
I don’t think the Buffalo Sabres have enjoyed the kind of defensive mobility they have with Tyler Myers since Brian Campbell left for Chicago. I can’t think of a defenseman that big who moves that well. He’s a great skater and will continue to get stronger (he’s only 19 after all). He’s a +4 and averages 20  minutes of ice time per game. I think he’s played a huge role in how Ryan Miller and the Buffalo Sabres have allowed a ridiculous 5 goals against in 4 games and remain undefeated, with the Stars (3-0-1). Also, Myers’ reach with that 6 foot long stick is sick. Just sick. Myers is only getting better and Sabres fans have to love it. What a steal landing Tyler Myers 12th overall two drafts ago.

Matt Carle – Philadelphia Flyers
Easily lost under the defensive depth in Philadelphia with the likes of Chris Pronger, Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Cobourn, but get this: Matt Carle – who the San Jose Sharks couldn’t get rid of, once – leads the Flyers in points (8 points in 5 games) and plus/minus (+4). He’s averaging big minutes in Philly and its nice to see a player rebound after a few rough years. Carle is the kind of depth that will pay huge dividends should either of the three defensemen above suffer any injuries.

Alexandre Picard – Ottawa Senators
Finally. Coming to the Ottawa Senators as part of the Andrej Mezsaros to the Tampa Bay Lightning trade, Picard has been heavily rumored in trade talks for months now. It’s been reported Bryan Murray likes Picard a lot and we’re starting to see why. Picard hasn’t turned over pucks nearly as much as in previous years and it shows in his +5 rating. Picard has looked solid for the Senators and has contributed to their good start.

Of course, there are a number of other under the radar players I could of included here… who’s your underrated defensemen so far?

Stay classy, underrated defensemen.

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2009-2010’s NHL rookie of the year?

September 4th, 2009

There are so many intriguing stories set to play out this year, over the 2009-2010 NHL season. One of the more interesting stories will be the rookie of the year race (let’s face it, can we can’t spend another year waiting to see if Marian Hossa made the right choice signing in Chicago).

While I don’t believe this summer’s draft was a strong as the year previous – the 2008 draft saw Steve Stamkos, Drew Doughty, Zach Bogosian, Tyler Myers, Luke Schenn round out the first five selections – 2009’s draft was still a very strong draft. Of course John Tavares went first (did anyone seriously think the New York Islanders and Garth Snow would select anyone else?) and Matt Duchene’s dream came true, being selected by his favourite team growing up (Colorado Avalanche). And Brian Burke didn’t get Brayden Schenn (the Los Angeles Kings drafted him). That was funny.

So who of that crop will be this year’s rookie of the year? Will it be someone else drafted in a previous year? My colleague, Fantana, already did a great job of previewing this season’s rookies. But without a doubt, I think the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 2nd overall pick, Victor Hedman, will be this year’s rookie of the year.

Victor Hedman - this years NHL rookie of the year?

Victor Hedman - this year's NHL rookie of the year?

Victor Hedman – Tampa Bay Lightning
By far the most ‘NHL-ready’ player from this season’s draft, Hedman is probably the biggest (new) defenseman set to debut in the NHL (Tyler Myers of the Buffalo Sabres comes close). Aside from his experience in the Swedish Elite League, Hedman is set up to succeed with a team the Lightning can actually be competitive with this season. Having Hedman play along side Mattias Ohlund will help with is transition to North-American hockey, as well as off ice adjustments. In part, for Hedman to succeed, goals need to be generated by the forwards and Tampa has a few stars – Vincent Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis, and Steve Stamkos. Add in players like Ryan Malone and you have a balanced attack. I think Hedman needs to develop a bigger mean streak (he should probably watch more videos of Chris Pronger in the playoffs) and if he can, his mobility, size, and skill will all flourish. I like John Tavares, but in New York, he’ll have to do everything on his own. I don’t believe the Islanders have insultated Tavares as well as the Tampa Bay Lightning have with Victor Hedman. The pressure will be significantly lower than Tavares and the weaker Southeast division may play a little role in stat-padding for Hedman, too.

Victor Hedman will be the NHL’s 2009-2010 rookie of the year. Who’s your pick?

Stay classy, NHL rookies.

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Dany Heatley can and will be traded after July 1st

June 29th, 2009

Well that sucked.  The NHL Entry Draft that is.  From an Ottawa Senators perspective, 2009’s first round selection process was as eventful as the next Oxy-clean promotion.  Errr, as dead as … I’ll stop there.

Other than the Sens, the only interesting part of the draft was seeing the Philadelphia Flyers get completely hosed for 34-year old defenseman Chris Pronger.  Two first round picks plus Lucas Sbisa?  Sweet Lincoln’s mullet!

Back to the Ottawa Senators.  And Bryan Murray.  The Sens have been adamant that Dany Heatley will not be traded after July 1st because of a $4 Million signing bonus Ottawa would have to eat.  Yeah right.  I believe that as much as a clean Manny Ramirez drug test.

Everything comes with a price tag.  Acquiring Heatley after July 1st is no different and any team interested in the disgruntled sniper knows that.  For Ottawa to pay Heatley the second part of his signing bonus will basically mean any potential trade partner will have to up their end of the deal.  Maybe it’s a prospect, secondary/role player, draft pick, or a combination – whatever given up will have to be ‘worth’ $4 Million in the eyes of Bryan Murray and the Ottawa Senators.

Furthermore, there is no way the Senators organization let’s Heatley back into the dressing room.  The Sens have made every effort to clean up their team and the players they consider a part of their ‘core group’. Letting Heatley step back into an improved locker-room would be a 2-year setback and completely undermine the culture coach Cory Clouston has tried to instill.  And given Clouston’s success in turning around this franchise, I’d say he’s going to win this one.

It’s been an interesting cat-and-mouse game between Heatley and the Senators.  Both sides hold cards against the other, however, Dany Heatley stands to lose the most as this situation continues.   I guess you could say Heatley’s playing with fire.  Yeah… that was pretty bad, I’ll admit.

I’m betting Heatley will eventually waive his No Movement Clause in order to get on with the 2009-2010 season.  The longer this goes, the worse Heatley’s reputation gets and the more likely Steve Yzerman and Team Canada take note.

Stay classy, again, Dany Heatley.

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Don't worry Sens fans… Bryan Murray is Rambo

June 29th, 2009

On Friday night, TSN had Brian Burke mic’d up as they showed a conversation between Bryan Murray and Burke.  Most Toronto fans thought it was a great show of Burke putting the boots to Murray.  Unfortunately for them, TSN neglected to mention that Bryan Murray is like Rambo.  It might look like he is bending to your authority, but all you’ve done is angered him.

Take this scene from Rambo First Blood when Rambo is walking into town:

Teasle: You said you were heading north. Portland is south.

Rambo: You got some place I can eat around here?

Teasle: Theres a diner about thirty miles up the road.

Rambo: Is there a law against me getting something to eat here?

Teasle: Yeah, me.

Now take this scene from Friday’s Draft Conversation when Bryan Murray gave Brian Burke one last chance to back off:

Burke: Kadri is the guy we’re gonna take. Is that the guy you want?

Murray: Yeah

Burke: We’re gonna take him.

Now on the surface, this looks like a Burke victory, the same way it looked like Rambo was going to have to leave town.  It’s that trucculence and belligerence that Brian Burke professes to exude.  But we all know how Rambo First Blood ends (spoiler alert).  Rambo gets his revenge.  There’s a reason they call it First Blood.

Murray himself probably has no beef with the Maple Laughs, but he does have beef with Brian Burke.  This is the same guy who essentially stole the team that Murray built, and won a Stanley Cup.  And while Burke can tout the trade that brought Pronger to Anaheim, we all know that it was Murray’s team.

Now Bryan Murray may have looked passive on this one.  But we know it’s only because he has more cooking up his sleeve.  In the same fashion that Rambo can stalk his prey with ease in the woods, Bryan Murray can punish in the world of salary caps and rookie development.  He also knows how to play the media.  For all the noise that Brian Burke has made about the changes he is bringing to Toronto, not a lot has been done.  Murray knows this. And I can guarantee that this Kadri Show doesn’t end here.

So Brian Burke.  I hate to say it, but you’re the 2009 version of Teasle.  Rambo is coming after you.  Watch yourself.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins win the Stanley Cup & Stayclassy.net called it!

June 13th, 2009

If you’ve been following our Stanley Cup predictions, you may be aware all five of the Stayclassy.net writers picked the Pittsburgh Penguins to win the Stanley Cup. We were so confident with our selection. We even vowed to change the blog’s content from hockey to fishing if the Penguins didn’t win. I was close to purchasing StayBassy.com (I believe it’s still available), but we believed in the Penguins, despite losing the first two games of the Stanley Cup finals. And on a personal note, I called Pittsburgh to win in 7 games. For a second or two, I might actually look like I know what I’m talking about. But in all seriousness, congrats to Sid-the-kid (when will he be too old to be called a kid?) and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

And still on the serious side, none of us know a thing about fishing. This could of been very ugly. Thanks to the Penguins for coming through…

Sidney Crosby holding the Stanley Cup, courtesy of EverythingPittsburgh.net

Sidney Crosby holding the Stanley Cup, courtesy of EverythingPittsburgh.net

With the Stanley Cup playoffs over, here are the final tally of predictions for all four rounds from our crew:

Burgundy:  10/15
Fantana:  10/15
Mantooth:  9/15
Baxter:   9/15
Tambland:  7/15

Ouch Tambland, ouch. Now, a few things to point out, in no specific order.

- Regardless of who won game 7, you have to think Marian Hossa’s UFA value dropped after this year’s finals. When performance and results mattered most, Hossa didn’t deliver. Couple that with the fact the NHL salary cap is set to drop and the economy still broken and you have a recipe for lower UFA offers to Hossa later this summer.

- Just like the Pittsburgh Penguins rose to the occasion numerous times in the 2009 playoffs,  so did the Stayclassy.net writers. When it counted most, SC delivered strong, with all five writers successfully predicting the Penguins upset. Very clutch, guys. Special thanks to Tambland for writing a ton of great content over the last few weeks.

- I wrote a blog last week citing Maxime Talbot as an unsung hero for Pittsburgh, pointing at his timely goal scoring abilities. Talk about perfect timing, Max!  Game of your life: 2009 Stanley Cup finals, game 7.

- Give Marian Hossa credit for speaking with the media after game 7. His thoughts were honest and bang on – I also don’t think the Penguins would of won the Stanley Cup had he resigned last summer. Doing that interview probably wasn’t easy, but this serves as another reason why the NHL is the world’s best sport and why the players are world-class people.

- No truth to the Anaheim Ducks trading defenseman Chris Pronger to the LA Kings for Jack Johnson and the 5th overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft yesterday… but I will say this: where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire.

- For debate: Does Marc-Andre Fleury now get additional consideration as Canada’s third Olympic goalie behind Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo? Also, should Sidney Crosby get consideration as an assistant captain of the Canadian Olympic team? I believe he deserve’s an “A” for what he’s accomplished in his young career.

- Jordan Staal still isn’t old enough to legally drink alcohol in the United States… I guess he’s drinking grape juice out of Lord Stanley. And while talking about the Staals – two of the brothers now own Stanley Cup rings. When’s Mark Staal’s turn?

- Finally, SC.net would like to thank everyone who has helped and supported us since launching in January. The list is long and distinguished (Top Gun reference… Iceman…), so we certainly can’t name everyone. That said, a few stand out…

NHLDigest.com
EverythingPittsburgh.net
OnTheForecheck.com
PredsontheGlass.com
BanginPanger.com
and the NHL community on Twitter – you all know who you are.

Stay classy, Pittsburgh Penguins – 2009 Stanley Cup Champions

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Posted in NHL Commentary, Stanley Cup Playoffs

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